Why Insurers Like Cruiser Motorcycles: Fewer Thefts and Crashes

This bike, the single-cylinder Suzuki 650 Savage cruiser (the 2004 model is shown), now called the Boulevard S40, was the motorcycle least likely to be stolen and is very rarely crashed, according to a study of claims by insurer Progressive.

We recently received a release from Progressive, the third-largest insurer of vehicles in the U.S and one of the largest motorcycle insurers, concerning a study of loss rates for different types of motorcycles. It looked at claims data from more than two million motorcycle policies. The study confirmed what most of us suspect—that sportbikes get crashed and stolen more frequently than other types and that cruisers are least likely to suffer these events that cost insurers. That's why cruisers can be cheaper to insure even though they often cost more to purchase.

Though the study doesn't look at the reasons, it's easy to speculate why sportbikes have higher loss rates. Sportbikes appeal to younger riders and their orientation makes them more appealing to risk-takers and more likely to be ridden in a risky manner. The fact that sportbikes are more likely to be crashed—and therefore need replacement parts (and that plastic bodywork can be very expensive)—means that there is a bigger market for stolen sportbike parts. Younger riders, especially those inclined to take risks, are probably more likely to be uninsured and therefore more likely to resort to illegal means to repair or replace their damaged rides. There is also evidence that sportbikes are ridden more often and more miles than cruisers, which would also make them more likely to be crashed.

Progressive listed the five bikes with the best and worse records for crash losses and theft losses. Suzuki's 650 Savage (now called the Boulevard S40), Honda 250 and 450 Rebels (grouped together) and BMW R1200C series cruiser made the top five on both of the least-lost lists, with the Savage topping the least-stolen list. Yamaha's Virago line (which included 250, 500, 535, 700, 750, 920, 1000 and 1100cc models over more than two decades, though only the 250 is still being produced) was listed as the least likely to be crashed. Suzuki GSX-R sportbikes topped both the most-crashed and most-stolen lists. Yamaha's YZF series, Kawasaki's Ninjas, and Honda CBRs (all sportbikes except perhaps the Kawasaki 500) also made the top five on both of the high-loss lists. The lists, as compiled by Progressive follow.

CRASHES

Least Likely to be Crashed